Joe Pfister and his friends from Seeker Rods returned aboard the Shogun with skipper Norm Kagawa August 24, after a successful five-day trip that found hard-biting yellowtail at the Benitos Islands.

Marlene McClary of Costa Mesa beat the boys with her 43-pound yellowtail. She said it ate a sardine on a 7/0 Mustad hook tied to 50-pound Ande line and 60-pound Izorline Spectra. She used a TLD 20 reel and a Seeker Black Steel 6465 rod, so she also won the Seeker Trophy for the best fish on a Seeker rod.

Sixteen-year-old Josh Cocis of Brea goes to Brea Linda High where he plays soccer. Josh was on his first long range trip with the Seeker group, and he won second place in the jackpot for his 41.8-pound yellowtail after it took a mackerel on a 5/0 Mustad hook. It took about 15 minutes to whip the fish, and it was his best fish ever.

Jimmie Woo of Diamond Bar won third place for a 35.6-pound yellowtail.

Two Tusker Tuna From Guadalupe

Guadalupe is slowly rounding into shape, thinks Art Taylor, Searcher owner-skipper. He docked his boat at Fisherman’s Landing August 24 after a five-day trip with 17 anglers.

“Whitey’s getting his share, too,” noted Art at the scales.

Georg Hartlmaier of Brianhead, UT won first place for a stout 88.2-pound yellowfin. He bagged that baby with a sardine on a 2/0 Mustad hook and a 40-pound rental outfit.

“Please put in a plug for my shop,” he said. “It’s Georg’s Ski Shop in Brianhead.”

Tanner Huffer of San Clemente made his second lineup shot in the past few weeks. He took second place for a 62.4-pound tuna he caught on a Tady AA jig in blue and white, on 30-pound line. The young waterman is on the surf team at San Clemente High.

Damon Mahem of Islamorada won third place for a 34.8-pound yellowtail.

“We fished Guadalupe for two days,” said Jeff. “We had great yellowtail and yellowfin fishing. Then we went to Benitos for a day, and had spectacular, non-stop fishing on quality yellows. We fished offshore on the last day, and saw good water structure and scattered sign of tuna everywhere.”

Al Frink chartermastered the trip. Sheldon Siskin of Manhattan Beach showed off a typical bluefin of about 20 pounds. There was no jackpot on the trip, so skipper DeBuys invited three anglers to pose with their best fish.

Sam Lu of Venice had a yellowtail. Don Garcia of a Tustin Ranch got a nice yellowfin, and Brad Hellwig of Stockton found a good yellowtail.